Who said coffee can't be good for your health?
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Some mornings move fluidly. I wake up on time, enjoy a plate of eggs and take stock of the day on my terms. But most mornings, I wake up confused, bleary-eyed and with just a few minutes to spare before diving into my to-do list. On those mornings, I have a crucial choice to make: breakfast or coffee?
In an attempt to stave off the headaches that come with caffeine withdrawal, I usually choose coffee, leaving me ravenous and energy-depleted by noon. At least, that was the case—until I learned about protein coffee.
I’ll be honest: I’m no stranger to protein shakes, and the thought of chugging those chalky concoctions can be enough to make me heave. I never loved the mouthfeel or strangely-tinged flavor, and I certainly don’t prefer the added sugar and calories, either. Plus, let’s be real. They never taste like the advertised flavor.
When I learned about protein coffee, I expected more of the same strange textures and off-flavors. However, it seemed like such an easy way for flexitarians like me to include more protein in their diets without altering their whole meal plan. Eventually, my need to include more substance into my morning won out.
I tried a bag of Javvy’s protein coffee. And then I plowed through another bag. Before I knew it, I was drinking protein coffee almost every day, save for those precious few moments where I had the time to pull out a skillet. For my lifestyle, this two-minute mini meal is the perfect potion to carry me through the morning—and the flavor is pretty darn amazing, to boot.
Javvy Protein Coffee
Why I’m Obsessed With Javvy Protein Coffee
Upon my first taste, I rejoiced that Javvy’s protein powder mix doesn’t have that weird chalky mouthfeel I mentioned earlier. Additionally, one of the most appealing aspects of this particular protein coffee is its blend of ingredients. And I’m not just talking about its smorgasbord of available flavors, nor the 10g of protein or 80mg of natural caffeine per serving.
I’m referring to MCTs, which improve brain function by providing an alternative energy source to glucose. The sweet taste comes from prebiotics derived from Sukré that help improve gut health. There are no artificial sugar alcohols or stomach-turning side effects—just beneficial ingredients that won’t spike your blood sugar or cause headaches. As for sugar content, there’s less than a gram per serving. And the powder is gluten-free!
It’s embarrassing, but I’ll admit it: as a 30-something with a tendency to both eat more takeout than she should and stay up later than she should, this girl needs all the help she can get with her brain and stomach. And thanks to the milder protein dose per scoop (whereas most brands contain 20mg or more), it also doesn’t wreak havoc on my tummy. If you have an iron stomach and want a higher protein dose, you can always double up on scoops.
And while there are some really nice protein powder brands like Ka’Chava that do include probiotics and offer other benefits, they don’t have a coffee flavor (boo!) and are nearly double the price of Javvy.
(But Really, It’s the Flavors For Me)
I first heard of Javvy before the brand launched its protein coffee, back when I was testing the best coffee concentrates (Javvy’s concentrate made the list as “most budget-friendly”). It has since expanded the original five concentrate flavors to more than 15 options, including fun new flavors like birthday cake, white chocolate macadamia, brownie batter and chocolate raspberry truffle. Yum!
This expanded roster of flavors also applies to the brand’s new protein coffee, which currently offers 10 different options. Apart from familiar blends like original, caramel (my favorite) and vanilla, flavored coffee fans can also opt for picks like coconut mocha, sugar cookie, tiramisu and even cookie dough.
Admittedly, I’m a silly creature who needs a steady stream of variety, else I bore easily. Naturally, the huge assortment of options is what originally caught my eye. I love having a carousel of flavors at my disposal. My logic is that whenever I tire of one flavor, I can just move to another. This logic proves pretty sound in practice, too.
Impressively, of the five flavors I’ve tried so far, each has tasted just as advertised. The only one I wasn’t partial to was churro, but that has less to do with the flavor and more to do with my complicated relationship with cinnamon. For what it’s worth, this was also my husband’s favorite.
My Foolproof Javvy Protein Coffee Recipe
Each drink is super easy to make. This is great since I usually mix mine while I’m barely awake. First, I measure out a scoop of the powder into eight-ish ounces of milk or milk substitute. I usually just fill my tallest glass roughly 3/4 full of milk. Sorry, but measuring is a lot to ask of me in the morning.
After scooping in your powder, now is the time to pull out that cheap-o milk frother your parents gifted you for Christmas five years ago. I use one from Jade Leaf Matcha, but any similar option works just as well. Then, get to whisking! Keep mixing until all the lumps are gone and the texture is smooth and silky. Alternatively, if you’re equipped with one, you can use a personal blender or a shaker bottle for this step.
Lastly, add your ice. I personally prefer nugget ice, but if you’re a cube person, you do you. As a finishing touch, pop in a reusable straw for that Instagram-ready look. And that’s it!
If you’re feeling really fancy, you can coat the inside of your glass with chocolate syrup first, or froth up some cold foam in a separate glass to spoon on top. I’ve even seen some folks use flavored syrups and creamers to further customize the flavor. Sprinkles and whipped cream are also a fun addition, especially if it’s your birthday. (If so, happy birthday, queen!)
Note: You can use water rather than milk, but believe me, it’s not as yummy. Milk adds a creamy latte texture you just don’t get with water. Plus, it also adds another big, beautiful dose of protein. If you’re trying to limit calories, you can always go half water and half milk. Personally, I say a few extra calories are worth a better experience, especially if you’re trying to pack in more protein on gym days.
No, It Isn’t The Same Thing As Coffee and Protein Powder
In theory, you can certainly blend brewed, chilled coffee with protein powder to create a similar drink. I even made my own dupe concoctions to prove to myself that this product is a silly gimmick (it’s not). But I’ll be honest—the result is always kind of gross. I’ve tried multiple methods, powders and types of coffee. No amount of finagling came close to the lightly sweet and smooth Javvy version.
Honestly, even if I could somehow master the secret formula, the extra step of brewing coffee cancels out the convenience factor. There’s also no chance I could perfectly recreate flavors like tiramisu and sugar cookie, even if I tried. If there’s one life skill I have mastered over the years, it’s knowing when to throw in the towel and just purchase a product you like.
Is Javvy protein coffee worth it?
Javvy’s protein coffee arrives in a 12.7-ounce bag of finely milled powder that looks and feels similar to mushroom coffee. Each bag includes a scoop, making it easy to measure the right amount for each drink. I love repurposing these scoops for other things, like measuring polybeads for my crochet amigurumi projects. If you’re not as Woobles-obsessed as me, you can use them for pantry items like flour.
The bags typically contain around 20 servings, which equals about $1.75 per serving at the discounted $35 price point with a monthly subscription (or around $40 if you buy a bag a la carte). That’s pretty affordable compared to something like a Starbucks protein latte, which runs upwards of $6 per serving. You can also save a bit of money by purchasing multiple bags at once.
Is it pricier than a bag of Folgers, a scoop of budget protein powder and a dream? Sure. But it also tastes a thousand times better and requires far less effort, which feels like a fair compromise to me.
Where to Buy
Javvy Protein Coffee
Night owls or gym bunnies who want to get their hands on this holy grail of breakfast hacks can hop over to Javvy’s website to purchase. There, you can snag all the flavors, plus protein creamers with collagen (which I also love), coffee concentrates, and flavored syrups. There’s also a recipes section for fancier brews.
Alternatively, you can also find the more basic flavors of Javvy protein coffee at retailers like Walmart, Target and Amazon. That said, purchasing directly from Javvy via a monthly subscription shaves off a little money, and the only thing I need more than protein is extra cash for little treats.
